List of drives that are compatible with the x220

Those are solid .

 

Well, not much luck with the MyDigitalSSD 64GB card. I was seeing performance numbers in the double and single digits. About the same speed as my hard drive. It looks like something was borked on the card. I did try a clean Windows install also but didn't see any improvement. I'm leaning toward the Renice 60GB as it has the Sandforce controller.

 

So I don't know if anybody realized this yet, but CostCentral is quoting $66 for the Z5K500 (500GB).

Hitachi Travelstar Z5K500 HTS545050A7E380 (0J11285) - Internal Hard Drives

 

120GB Renice X3 mSATA SSD - Lenovo X220i installation

In my http://forum.notebookreview.com/sol...sf1222-msata-ssd-user-review.html#post7389868 I wasn't seeing significant performance gains over a Intel 310 when benched on my HP 2530P. However, another user has benched this SSD on a Lenovo X220i Renice here whose CDM numbers, copied below, are significantly better.

 

Buy.com here:
Buy.com - Hitachi Travelstar Z5K500 HTS545050A7E380 500 GB Internal Hard Drive - SATA/300 - 5400 rpm - 8 MB Buffer - 2.5"

 

Oos.

 

Yes, OOS, but it's good to have the placeholder page for future reference. It was difficult to find.

 

My writes are about 100MB/s faster. I have the 256GB, and that would explain the difference. Everything else is very similar.

 

Has anyone tried installing Linux on an mSata drive? I tried installing OpenSuse and received the message that the partitioning on my MyDigitalSSD drive was not readable.

I also tried Ubuntu and it couldn’t see my drive either.

I’d be interested to know if anyone with the Intel 310 or Renice drive was able to install Linux. I’d like to know if it’s just my generic MyDigitalSSD drive that doesn’t work, or all mSata drives.

If someone with either of those drives has the time, could you please download the OpenSuse x64 DVD iso and just start the installation see if you get any error messages about the drive?

Thanks

 

Did anyone else get a "2100: Detection Error" with their Crucial m4? If so, what was the fix? I'm really hoping mine didn't come DOA.

 

Nope, no errors with mine.

 

I got the error the first time. Try taking out the screws and putting the drive in using the rubber rails holding it together. If that works, try putting your shorter screws back in more loosely. That solved the problem for me.

My best guess is that putting the screws in tightly when there isn't a spacer causes a grounding problem.

 

That worked! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

 

For poeple that is interested in getting the Crucial M4. Newegg is selling the 128gb version for $219 shipped (google for $40 coupon). Offer expires tommorow. I just ordered one and will be installing it in 2 days when my x220 arrives, will post results.

 

Apparently the x220 bay is different from the T420s because this trick won't work in it.

 

My screws finally arrived, so while it doesn't really matter functionally, I feel better that my M4's lid is finally screwed in.

 

I also got a M4 drive from Crucial the other day and instead of getting screws for the drive (couldn't wait that long), I did a DIY approach. I first of all used side cutters to cut around 3mm off the length of the screw. Then I held the screws with pliers to file down the nasty bit off them and voila. The screws fit perfectly in my M4, and it feels very solid.

 

Can you remind us what size those screws are?

Thanks,

John

 

Do you think you can remove the 7mm enclosure (case) from the HD that comes with the X220 and use that to house the Intel 510 SSD? That might be better than just leaving the 510 without the top cover on. I already have an Intel 510 that seemed to not be reaching its full potential in an X120e (likely running at only SATA 2). I'm hoping for true SATA 3 SSD speeds on this uber X220 laptop and honestly the firmware/freezing complaints scare me away from the Crucial/Micron SSDs. Intel continues its reputation as the most reliable SSD. How does WOW run on the X220?

 

I used the "cradle" and two rubber sides from the old drive and re-used them. Not sure what the 7mm enclosure is but if that's it than yes, I reused it. It definitely helped secure it better.

 

Samsung 470 series SSD is "Modifiable 9.5mm SSD" , I'm using it now and get 7.6 wei score. You can just remove the top cover and there are no screws , very simple to do it . Will not void the warranty .
about 6mm after removed the top case.
20s Boot

 

These.

The head size doesn't seem like an absolute perfect fit (there's a bit of taper when there probably shouldn't be) but it's awfully close and I didn't wrench the screws super-tight.

 

You don't happen to have some macro photos of the tapering you speak of, do you? Perhaps some photos of when you did the install?

You installed the Intel 320 drive, correct?

 

I bought these: 15 NEW M2x3 Laptop Screws Si DELL IBM HP Compaq Sony US - eBay (item 390246535379 end time May-27-11 22:44:17 PDT)

They work fine too; the head is a bit smaller than the original screws, but it fits in my M4 just fine.

 

I'm using Crucial M4 and it works fine except when cold boot if will stone for a minute. anyone come across this problem?

 

Any idea why the OEM is more expensive than the retail?

 

If I were to go with an 80GB Intel 310 mSATA upgrade (so to get SSD + HDD), would the mSATA drive be all I need to buy? I don't need to get a separate HDD other than the one included in the laptop, right? (unless I want to upgrade the HDD myself)

Additionally, for mSATA, wouldn't putting frequently accessed non-system files (i.e., own documents/etc.) on the SSD be noticeably faster as well?

 

maybe supply and demand. the oem was cheaper when i bought the intel 320 about a month ago. there's no difference in the ssd itself. the retail box will give you an extra 2.5'' -> 3.5'' mounting bracket and some screws.

 

correct, you can just keep the oem drive.

and yes, anything on the ssd will be faster. i still haven't found an official microsoft win7 documentation on how to manage the OS and user profiles on a machine that has a mSATA and a HD. it's all up to the end user's decision so far.

 

Sorry, I don't. The screws are 95% fine. I just had to be mindful to not tighten them excessively.

I'm using a Corsair M4.

 

so i was reading through this thread and was thinking of adding another drive, possibly a SSD or mSata for my oS to boot up in the X220. Since the first page is no longer updated

I have a few questions to ask

1) which is better SSD or mSATA and which would you recommened?
i read someone stating that "Sata: still slower then 'grown up' SSD. "
2) What are some recommended/best ssd and msata to purchase, ranging 60-80GB
3) now if i wanted ones that didnt need a seperate order of screws or grinding screws, would that greatly reduce my choices?
4) i hear that installing a fresh copy of win7 some people had some problems with drivers, does anyone have a complete list or has this been resolved already? i scoured through the forums and there were like 3-4 different links, i just want to make sure im not missing anyhitng

Am i missing anything else

 

I purchased an X220 with the 250GB 5400 RPM hard drive and received it Friday, May 13th. I had already purchased an Intel 320 80GB SSD drive to replace the factory drive. Here is what I did to install it (I'm sure there are other, different, better ways...but this worked for me):

Ran through the initial setup of the computer after unpacking it. There is very little in the box. The X220, power supply, battery and a very thin "Getting Started" guide.

Created the Recovery discs from the Lenovo Tools menu (1 boot CD and 3 DVDs).

Copied the SWTOOLS directory to a USB drive (just so I would have it in case I wanted/needed anything it contained- however, I haven't found a need for it yet).

Downloaded the following drivers from Lenovo to the same USB drive for use after reinstalling Windows:

Intel Wireless LAN (bg, abg, abgn) for Windows 7 (32-bit, 64-bit), Windows Vista (32-bit, 64-bit), XP - ThinkPad (I have the Intel Centrino Advanced-N + WiMAX 6250)


Intel HD Graphics Driver (Integrated) for Windows 7 (64-bit), Vista (64-bit) - ThinkPad


ThinkVantage System Update 4.0

​

I then pulled the factory hard drive out, installed the Intel 320 80GB SSD drive. I have a Samsung USB 2.0 8x DVD drive that I connected to the X220 and inserted a Windows 7 Pro install DVD. I chose to do a fresh install rather than use the recovery discs created earlier so that it would be a fresh install. Rebooted the computer and ran through the Windows 7 setup completely. I used the Windows 7 Pro serial number on the X220 (found under the battery) when prompted.

Copied the wireless network, video and system update files from the USB drive to the SSD drive and installed them.

After rebooting I connected to my wireless network and ran Lenovo System update and updated all the drivers it found that I wanted to install. This took a while as there were several that required rebooting after installing. However, the X220 with an SSD boots so quickly that it really isn't a problem.

After all the installs I went through the Windows 7 validation process and had to call the toll-free number to register this version of Windows. It was painless though and after entering a string of numbers, it was verified and I was finished with a "genuine" copy of Win 7 Pro.

My X220 is running great and I love the fast boot, quick program loads, etc. that I get with the SSD.

 

Does making the recovery disks give you the Win 7 Pro or are you getting it from somewhere else?

How much space is needed for recovery disks? I was thinking of using a USB stick if it outputs and ISO.

 

No, I already had a Win 7 Pro install DVD that I had purchased last year for another computer so I used that one.

You can also download ISO images of Windows 7 install DVDs from this link on this forum:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/win...-7-download-links-just-like-vista-before.html

However, I have not tried these so I'm not sure how well they work.

 

5)Is this an acceptable drive?
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148361

6)is there a cheaper ones?

 

Don't know if anyone else has commented on this, but I just received my X220 in the mail the other day, but hadn't realized that there was an issue with the size requirements on an SSD to replace the built-in HDD. I'd already gotten my OCZ Vertex 3 240GB SSD in the mail, and decided to see if it would fit. I can confirm that the drive will absolutely fit in the 2.5" bay, and while it's snug, seems to function fine. Was even able to remove it and replace it with some wiggling and prying without damaging the case. Still working out some issues with reinstalling the OS so I don't have any numbers in terms of performance but I can confirm that the drive is functional and the system boots and seems to run normally (albeit much faster).

 

1) It really depends on what you're trying to do. I would say SSD is better because then you only have one drive and it will boot faster than with mSATA. However, if you're needing a larger hard drive for storage, then using mSATA for the system drive and another, larger hard drive for data may be a better solution. I am using the X220 for a traveling work computer so I don't need a lot of storage space. I have USB drives I can use for that so basically all I have on the computer is Windows 7, Microsoft Office, TN3270, RDP tools. So, I still have over 40gb of free space on my 80gb SSD.

2) This is my first SSD and after doing some research, the Intel 320 series seemed to get good reviews so that's what I went with. The Intel 320 80GB SSD from NewEgg.

3) The Intel 320 is very easy to remove the plastic spacer without damaging any stickers, labels, etc. I did not find any 7mm drives currently that fit what I needed. I bought a pack of (15) M2x3 screws off eBay for about $4 to use after removing the plastic spacer.

4) As long as you have the wireless driver, and you install that and Lenovo System Update, you can easily get all the drivers you need for the reinstall.

 

I wondered about this. The rubber rails and hard drive caddy do seem to consume some space (although I'm not sure it's 2mm in total), so without them I thought it might be possible to cram a 9mm drive in there, as long as the pinouts on the inside aligned. It sounds like they do, thanks for posting this.

 

Thanks Larry
I was planning on using the SSD/mSATA for OS and booting, and the other for storage. Is there a reason to use mSATA instead of SSD if I'm planning on using 2 drives?


I was looking at
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16820148361
NCIX.com - Buy Kingston SSDNow V100 Series 64GB 2.5IN SSD SATA Solid State Disk Flash Drive - Kingston - SV100S2/64GZ - in Canada
and
NCIX.com - Buy OCZ Vertex 2 Extended Sandforce 60GB 2.5IN SATA2 Solid State Disk Flash Drive SSD - OCZ Technology - OCZSSD2-2VTXE60G - in Canada
But not sure if they would work, or if they are good.

basically i just wanted to take advantage of that additional slot the X220 comes with, and 250Gb base memory seem a bit small for me.....so those are my reasons

You said that you've found none that fit what you needed, what were you looking for?

 

Yes, that drive will work if you remove the black plastic spacer. However, someone has commented that they fit a 9.5mm drive in that bay but I have no experience with that. I personally would just remove the spacer.

That is a pretty low price, not sure if there are less expensive ones or not. They will continue to decline in price like everything else.

 

The mSATA is an SSD drive but is installed under the keyboard rather than in the drive bay on the side. See this link for a picture:

Intel 310 Series (Soda Creek) SSDMAEMC040G2C1 mSATA 40GB mSATA (mini PCIe form factor) MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) - OEM

The SSD I installed took the place of the standard hard drive and is the only drive in my X220. I have no experience with the mSATA so I can't comment on its usage.

I was looking for a 7mm SSD drive to replace my original hard drive. The only drives I could find that came in a 7mm height were the Micron/Crucial C400 series with "AK" in the model number. However, I wanted an Intel drive so I went with the 320 series.

 

Ahhh thanks again, i thought those 2 took the same port. Silly me.

I guess that now boils down to

any toubles with fresh installing on the mini sata?
I just wish these drives arent that expensive....

 

AGOLD - Can you post the exact model number that is working? I'd like to order one today.

 

I'm trying to load the win7 ISO onto a USB 3.0 flash drive (Kingston DT Ultimate, 16gb) on the x220. Whenever I run the Microsoft Win 7 USB/DVD Download tool and try to make the USB flash drive into a bootable usb drive, it says it is unable to copy the files, check the USB and ISO again.

Has anyone else managed to make a usb 3.0 flash drive bootable in win7?

Petrov.

 

I did a win7 iso on usb flash drive under ubuntu 10.10. There is an app allowing you making bootable flash drive with your os image

it is an usb3.0 flash drive

 

Yeah, I'm using the app that's meant to do that, but it's coming up with this error. I've also tried to create recovery media using the thinkvantage rescue and recovery app, but that also fails from an 'internal error' when trying to do it onto my usb 3.0 flash drive. I'm not sure what the problem is - the flash drive, the usb port or a win7 compatibility issue.

Would be great if anyone else with a usb 3.0 flash drive could try on their x220...?

Petrov.

 

are all you guys having problems because youre using.usb or because its usb 3.0?

 

I was able to create one using unetbootin-win-549

 

I'm interested in this as well. Vertex 3 was my first choice for a SSD and I was really disappointed when I read it wouldn't fit. A model number would be greatly appreciated.

 

Yes, disappointment has turned to excitement.

I could only find one 2.5" 240GB on New Egg. One retail version and one OEM version. Retail version is sold out so I impatiently ordered the OEM version.